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Serving Princeton, Rosewood, Brogden, E. Johnston Co., W. Wayne Co., North Carolina |
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Cancer survivors, supporters not alone1 August 2007 — Connie Grady of Four Oaks knows what it’s like to lose someone you love to cancer. Last December, one of her sisters died with ovarian cancer. Now another sister is battling an advanced stage of melanoma. The disease runs in Grady’s family; her grandmother died with it several years ago. “It’s been tough,” says Grady, 51, who is the director of the education department at Johnston Memorial Hospital. Her experience has led her to start a cancer support group, which meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of every month in room 1404A at the hospital’s Medical Mall. For years, Jackie Parrish of Four Oaks and Marie McLamb of McGee’s Crossroads led a cancer support group that met in the hospital cafeteria. But the long-time volunteers ran out of steam and ended the meetings about two years ago, Grady said. The new group met for the first time in March. Most of the 20 or so participants were hospital employees, but anyone from the public, including cancer survivors, caregivers and family members, is welcome to attend, Grady said. Grady gives credit to Marilyn Austin, a nurse at the hospital and a cancer survivor, for helping launch the support group. Austin penned the group’s slogan, “Angels Among Us,” and her daughter, Mari Hayes, designed the logo. Also helping out is Pam Hillman, an instructor in Grady’s department. The topics change from month to month. Tracey Smith, the mission delivery manager for the American Cancer Society, takes suggestions from the group. Guests might include a physical therapist, who talks about exercise, or a doctor, who might talk about the side effects of chemotherapy or radiation. “The meetings are very helpful,” Smith said. “The newly diagnosed get hope from the survivors. And the survivors and caregivers get to talk to someone who can identify first hand. A typical meeting opens with introductions and applause for the survivors. After introducing a topic or listening to a guest speaker, the members are invited to talk, she said. “Everybody contributes, which is a testament to how important the group is.” One of the members bakes a cake for every meeting. But all the meetings aren’t about cancer. Occasionally, a musician comes and plays. “It’s business, but it’s also a fun time,” Smith added. For more information about the support group, call the hospital’s Education Department at 938-7736.
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Wayne Wilson News Leader
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